Fermoy News

O DRISCOLL, SHERLOCK AND O KEEFFE MAKE EARLY RUNNING

With the general election campaign now well under way The Avondhu took to the streets of Mitchelstown and Fermoy over the past week to get an early straw poll as to just who the people want to form the next government.

During market day in Mitchelstown on Thursday of last week, 30 people were asked just two questions. What party and what candidate would they vote for on election day?

Those surveyed were made up of men and women of all ages and, while the results are not as comprehensive as other polls, they do give an insight into the preferences of the electorate in the area.

It was a very close call between the Labour party and Fianna Fail - 9 voters said that they would support the Labour party and Deputy Sean Sherlock, while 8 said that Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe and Fianna Fail would get their number one.

Cllr Pa O’Driscoll was placed in third position, with 7 people declaring for Fine Gael. Three people said they were undecided while two admitted no interest. There was no mention of Sinn Fein, the Green Party or any independents at this stage in the campaign in Mitchelstown.

THE STORY IN FERMOY

In Fermoy the local town mayor and Fine Gael candidate, Cllr Pa O’Driscoll predictably came out on top with 5 votes followed by Sean Sherlock (Lab) on 2 while David Stanton (FG), Michael Ahern (FF) and Kevin O’Keeffe (FF) got 1 vote each.

Amongst those surveyed in Fermoy, a number of people said that they were undecided while others declined to comment. When both the Mitchelstown and Fermoy straw polls are tabulated the results are as follows – Cllr Pa O’Driscoll 13, Deputy Sean Sherlock 11, Kevin O’Keeffe 9, David Stanton 1 and Michael Ahern 1.

One Fermoy lady, who said that she is going to vote for Fianna Fail, told The Avondhu that she felt sorry for Brian Cowen when she saw him on the television.